Missouri fan on team plane in federal drug probe

COLUMBIA — An MU men's basketball fan who regularly traveled with the team to NCAA Tournament games is among 10 Columbia residents facing federal drug conspiracy charges.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Levi Coolley was on the team plane on four Tiger tournament trips from 2009 to 2011. Coolley also joined a team flight from Austin, Texas, in January and received complimentary tickets from Missouri players at nine games over two seasons.

In March, FBI agents arrested Coolley on felony cocaine distribution charges at the Missouri team hotel in Omaha, Neb., before their most recent NCAA appearance.

Missouri athletic officials told the Tribune that an internal review found no improper influence by Coolley, a car stereo shop owner who accompanied a prominent Missouri donor on the team flights.